Control system



J. L. BYRD ET AL CONTROL SYSTEM Sept. 9, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25. 1963 wZS 50m CONTROL SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1963 Sept. 9, 1969 J. L. BYRD ETAL CONTROL SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25. 1965 CONTROL SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 25, 1963 wwzutiw pace 5 3,466,041 CONTROL SYSTEM Joseph L. Byrd and William M. Allen, Columbus, Ohio,

assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Brunswick Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,560 Int. Cl. A63d /02 US. Cl. 273-49 30 Claims This invention relates to the control of travel along predetermined paths or tracks and more particularly to systems for controlling the return of bowling balls for use in combination with a bowling lane or pair of adjacent bowling lanes.

In the game of bowling, and particularly with recent trends toward use of automatic scoring devices to credit scores to bowlers, it is highly desirable to provide a system for correlating a given bowler with his bowling score as calculated by the scoring device. Although it may be possible to obtain automatic scoring by means of an automatic player sequencer initially programmed to team conditions, i.e., including number of players and initial order of bowling, such system would limit the team to a fixed bowling order. Manual input changes in bowling sequence could be provided but the chances for error, eg the crediting of a score to the wrong bowler, would be great. Further, problems would be compounded by the requirement for alternating lanes until the final frame of each bowler.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a new and useful system for controlling travel along a path or track.

It is also a general object of this invention to provide new and useful ball handling apparatus which is usable in association with a bowling lane.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and useful system capable of indicating the identity of a bowler regardless of bowling order changes or alternation in the use of lanes.

It is a still further object to provide such a new and useful system enabled by detection of a given bowlers ball in combination with detection of thelane in which the ballis being used.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a system for use in a ball handling apparatus having a ball United States Patent 0 rack and ball return structure including a ball return path I or track from the lane pit for returning balls tothe bowler, which system includes a plurality of ball holding stations from which a bowling ball may be selected for bowling on a lane toward the lane pit in combination with control means responsive to removal of a ball from a ball station for selecting the same ball station for return of the ball thereto and including a structure for returning the ball to the correct station responsive to the control means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a system for use in a ball handling apparatus having a ball rack and ball return structure including a ball return path from the pit of the lane, which system includes normal separation of the ball storage stations from the ball return path and further provides for the transfer of balls from the ball return path to the storage stations with control of the transferring means.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a ball return system including means for delaying a ball coming from one lane pit while permitting the passage of a ball coming from another lane pit, the ball delay being for a time sufiicient to permit the first returning ball to be controllably returned to the position from which it was removed without interference from the delayed ball.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes, each having a pit wherein the handling apparatus includes ball storage means containing a plurality of separate ball storage stations located adjacent the bowlers end of the bowling lanes, ball retrun tracks leading to the storage means from each of the pits for delivering balls from the pits to the storage means, selection means initiated by removal of a ball from one of the ball stations, ball detecting means for sensing movement of balls from adjacent pits and for differentiating the pit from which the ball is moving, a structure for directing balls on the ball return path into separate storage stations and control means for the ball directing means, responsive to the detecting means and the selection means, to control the directing means for direction of the removed ball to a ball storage station determined by the selection means.

Still other objects will be apparent to those in the art from the following descriptions and from the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a plurality of adjacent bowling lanes in a bowling establishment with the general location of major attendant equipment;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of two adjacent lanes, as illustrated in FIGURE II, with attendant equipment and adapted for use in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 3 a side view of the ball storage rack shown in FIGURE 1, diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE FIGURE 4 is a vertical section through the rack of FIGURE 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIGURE 5 is a partial horizontal section taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a partial horizontal section through the storage rack taken along line 66 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a partial vertical section of the rack taken along line 7-7 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a ball return track system usable in the present invention for return of balls from adjacent bowling lane pits to the storage rack of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE '9 is a vertical section of the system of FIG- URE 8 taken along line 9-9;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical section of the system of FIGURE 8 taken along line 1010; and

FIGURE 11 is a schematic diagram, including a wiring diagram, of an embodiment of a control system of the present invention.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one specific embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

The ball handling system of the present invention is intended for use especially in the game of bowling. Ac-

cordingly, the system may be used in conjunction with a bowling lane or plurality of bowling lanes including two adjacent bowling lanes 10 and 11 as shown in FIGURE 1. In such use, a ball storage rack 12 is provided for receiving balls from adjacent lane pits where the balls are gathered by suitable ball gathering structure or mechanism as a part of a pinsetter structure such as is indicated by reference numeral 13. Balls are returned from the bowling lane pits by means of ball return paths such as tracks located beneath the level of the bowling lanes illustrated in FIGURE 1. The ball storage rack is accessible from two sides to serve two adjacent lanes and is located at the bowlers end of the lanes, preferably between the two adjacent lanes.

In bowling, .the bowler selects his ball from storage rack 12 and bowls the ball down the lane toward a setup of pins at the other end. The pins are handled by the pinsetter structure 13 for the purpose of progressing the game and the ball is returned through the ball return track to ball storage rack 12 from whence the ball may again be selected and bowled. The bowling lanes, pinsetter structure including the ball gathering structure, and the like, are conventional structures well known in the art. The ball return tracks are also basically conventional but may be modified in accordance herewith, such as will be shown in discussion of one embodiment of this invention hereinbelow.

An embodiment of a ball handling apparatus of this invention in its general application and in its function for proper return of bowling balls from adjacent lane pits may be understood with reference to the schematic diagram of FIGURE 2. Ball storage means 12 is shown schematically at the bowlers end of the two adjacent lanes between the adjacent lanes. Balls are shown in the storage rack in each of twelve storage stations in linear array and each ball may be removed from either side of the rack for bowling in the respective adjacent lanes as indicated by ball removal positions A through L and A through L for lanes 10 and 11, respectively.

Assuming that a ball is bowled on lane 10, having been removed at one of the removal postions A through L by a bowler, the ball travels in the direction of the arrow on the lane to the pit, is picked up or gathered by a conventional =ball gathering and elevating structure in the lane pit indicated generally at 14 and directed to side track 16 and common track 18 back to storage rack 12. Similarly, a ball selected from one of the removal positions A through L and bowled down lane 11 is directed by a ball elevating structure in pit 15 to side track 17 and common track 18 back to ball storage rack 12.

Assuming now that two balls are bowled on the adjacent lanes in quick succession, and the ball on lane 11 reaches pit 15 before the ball on lane 10 reaches pit 14, and assuming that the ball in pit 15 is picked up first and deposited on side track 17, the ball passes ball sensor or detector 20 before the ball from pit 14 passes detector 19. The ball from track 17 reaches common track 18 before the ball from track 16 and travels down track 18 triggering a ball delay mechanism shown on the common track at 21. The ball delay mechanism then stops the ball from track 16 until the ball from track 17 passes a ball delay reset mechanism 22 which releases ball delay structure 21 permitting the second ball to again begin its journey toward storage rack 12.

The original removal of the ball from the storage rack for bowling purposes from one of the ball storage stations a through 1 (FIGURE 3) at one of the ball removal positions for bowling on alley 11, for example, from storage station i (FIGURE 3) through ball removal position 1, causes station 1' to be prepared for activation for return of a ball thereto. Similarly, the removal of a ball from storage station c (FIGURE 3) via removal position C for bowling on lane 10 has prepared storage station for being activated to receive a ball. The passage of the ball on track 17 over detector 20 prior to thepassage of the ball on track 16 over detector 19 completes the activation of station i for receiving a ball and locks station 0 closed against receiving a ball. Thus, the first ball returned via common track 18 to ball rack 12 will be returned to station 1', the same station from which it was withdrawn. The purpose of the delay mechanism 21 is to provide adequate delay of the second ball returned to rack 12 to permit the first ball to find its home station prior to entry of the second ball into the rack. Upon placement of the first ball in station 1', the closing of station 0 by detector 20 is cancelled and since the second ball has already passed detector 19, station c is now completely ready to receive a ball. Thus, the ball from track 16 enters rack 12 and becomes deposited in station 0, the exact station from which it was originally withdrawn.

With the foregoing general description of the embodiment and its function, the particular construction of the ball storage rack and ball return track and associated structures will next be discussed in more detail. These structures will then be linked up with more particular reference to the combination and the control circuitry.

Attention is now directed particularly to FIGURES 3-7 for more particular description of an embodiment of the ball storage rack and associated structures. Common ball return track 18, normally a straight-line track disposed between adjacent bowling lanes, e.g. partly beneath the lane division indicated generally by reference numeral 26 (FIGURES 1 and 3) between gutters of adjacent lanes, enters ball rack 12 and proceeds in an upward deviation 27 into the rack proper as a segmented extension 28 of track 18 and upward deviation 27, traversing the length of rack 12 above and along all ball storage stations a through 1 within rack 12. Segmented track 28 is made up of a plurality of aligned track sections 28-a through 28-l corresponding to ball storage stations a through I.

Each section of track is supported on the lower end of a lever 29 which is pivotally connected at 30 to a bracket mounted on the side casing of rack 12. The lever 29 is in turn pivotally connected at 32 to a link 31. A lever 29, pivot 30, link 31 and pivotal connection 32 is provided for each of the segments of the two track rails, e.g. segments 28-c. The two links 31 are pivotally connected to solenoid motor member 33 of solenoid SOL-C, the pivotal connection being indicated at 35. The solenoid motor member is biased by spring 36 to maintain the rails by way of the above described linkage in a normal ball supporting station as a section of the normally continuous segmented track 28. Thus, spring 36 is a tension spring having one end connected to solenoid motor member 33 and the other end secured at 37 to the top casing of rack 12 thereby urging motor member 33 upward. Upon actuation of SOL-C, motor member 33 is moved downward spreading rails 28-c to permit a bowling ball traveling along the track in the position shown at B-l to drop at station c to the position shown at B2. In effect, such movement removes a section of a segmented track 28. Further, such movement causes a resilient stop member 38 which may be composed of, for example, hard rubber, into the path of track 28 so that a bowling ball traveling along track 28 will drop through track 28 wherever a ball drop solenoid, e.g. SOL-C has been actuated. The rubber stop member or pad 38 assures blocking of the ball for dropping purposes and protects the ball from being scratched by the metal links and pivotal connection 35.

Although only one ball station is shown in section in FIGURES 4 through 7, it is to be understood that each of the ball stations a through 1 includes similar or like operative members so that a ball may be dropped from track 28 at any of the ball storage stations by actuation of the corresponding solenoid SOL-A through SOLL.

In Position the bowling ball is held in a storage station within a pocket indicated generally at 41. Pocket 41 15 formed by a pair of cooperating pivotal pocket halves 42 and 43 and a cooperating pocket bottom member 44, each fitted for cooperation with each other to form a pocket while still being free to move independently of each other as will 'be described hereinbelow.

Pocket halves 42 and 43 are secured to cam members 46 and 47, respectively, each pocket half being secured to two such cam members. Cam members 46 are pivotally mounted on rod 48 and cam members 47 are pivotally mounted on rod 49. Rods 48 and 49 each extend the length of the linear array of ball storage stations within ball rack 12 with each pocket half in the linear array being secured to cams pivotally connected to one of the rods 48 or 49, which are in turn supported by suitable brackets. Pocket half 42 is pivoted with cam member 46 and pocket half 43 is pivoted with cam member 47. Detents are provided to normally hold the cam members against pivoting. Accordingly, spring loaded rollers 54 and 55 are normally urged into cam notches 56 and 57 respectively by means of compression springs 53. The latter are mounted on the stationary frame of pneumatic cylinder 64 by means of rod and bracket members 65 and 66 and hold the cam members in position so that the pocket halves are in pocket forming association. Also provided on disc members 46 and 47 respectively, are notches 58 and 59 defining receptacles for spring switch arms 62 and 63 respectively, each switch arm being attached at its other end to a suitable frame member (not shown). As seen, the ends of switch arms 62 and 63 are configurated to provide a surface engageable by notches 58 and 59 respectively.

Upon selection of a bowling ball for use in one of the two adjacent bowling lanes, removal of the bowling ball from the storage station causes outward pivoting of pocket half 42 or 43 depending upon the lane side from which the ball is removed. Assuming the ball is removed from station 0 for use in the left-hand lane, pocket half 43 is moved to the left, carried by disc member 47 pivoting about rod 49. Roller 55 is urged against compression spring 53, leaves notch 57 and travels on the periphery of disc 47 until the roller 55 re-engages notch 59. In the meantime, switch arm 63 is forced out of notch 59 and is left on the peripheral surface of disc 47 causing closure of the contacts of switch SWC, which, as will be seen, combines with other elements to re-direct the ball, after it is bowled, via branch track 16 and common track 18 onto segmented track 28 and back to ball storage station 0, solenoid SOL-C having been activated. It should also be noted that as the ball falls from position B1 to position B-2, switch arm 70, controlling ball drop return cancel switch SR-C is momentarily tripped. Return of the ball to the storage station urges finger 43a downward to pivotally return pocket half 43, disc 47, roller 55 and arm 63 to their positions illustrated in FIG- URE 4.

As an additional feature in assisting the lowering of the ball, which if dropped to the pocket may hit the pocket with sufiicient impact to disturb other bowlers in adjacent lanes, pneumatic cylinder 64 is provided. Pneumatic cylinder 64 includes a rod 67 by which pocket bottom 44 is supported. Cylinder 64 is of the type having a plunger secured to the lower end of rod 67 and biased upward by compression spring 69 and having a dash pot eifect provided by a port as indicated by reference numeral 70. Upon removal of a bowling ball from a given position, e.g. position 0, spring 69 of pneumatic cylinder 64 drives motor member 67 upward carrying pocket bottom 44 to a raised position below the ball position B1. Thus, as the ball is returned over track 28 it drops onto pocket bottom 44, which, due to the added weight of the ball, then descends against the urging of spring 69 and air within the dash pot escaping through port 70.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 through 10, there is illustrated a form of a ball delay mechanism which may be used herein. As is shown, a pair of ball blocking assemblies indicated generally at 87 are used. Each ball blocking assembly is connected to the other by means of interconnecting link 88 which is pivotally attached to each assembly as indicated at 89. Each ball blocking assembly includes a roller 90 carried by an arm 91 pivotally mounted on a pin 92 which is in turn mounted to suitable frame work (not shown). Secured to and carried by link 88 there is provided an abutment member or block 93.

Also provided is a locking and unlocking structure including a locking release arm 96 pivotally mounted on bracket 97 by pin 98 and carrying roller 99. Also pivotally attached to arm 96 at 101 is link which is universally attached at its other end at 102 to a rod 103 spring loaded to a frame member 104 by means of compression spring 105 bearing between frame member 104 and block member 106 urging block member 106 away from frame member 104.

In operation of the ball delay device of FIGURES 8-10, the first ball over either track 16 or track 17 to engage its roller 90 pivots the roller 90 forward and the ball continues to pass. Pivoting of roller 90 and arm 91 about pin 92 pulls link 88 to move block 93 away from a central position with respect to blocking member 106 to a position laterally of blocking member 106 on the side of the blocking member from which the ball is traveling. The ball passes onto track 18 and back to storage rack 12. Blocking member 106 is urged by spring 105 into the path of block 93 preventing shifting of rod 88 in the opposite direction. Thus, as a ball comes down the other track, arm 91 is held in an upright position carrying roller 90 into blocking position in the path of the next ball, thereby stopping its progress. As the first ball travels along track 18 toward storage rack 12, it engages roller 99 pivoting arm 96 forward pulling link 100, rod 103 and blocking member 106 against the urging of spring 105 and out of the path of block 93, thereby permitting the second ball to depress arm 91 and shift link 88 until block 93 travels to the other side of blocking member 106 and the blocking and unblocking sequence is repeated. Of course, where there is no subsequent ball on the other side track, block 93 will be returned under the weight of link 88 to a central position.

Each of tracks 16 and 17 is sloped downward toward the junction with track 18 to provide gravity roll of balls over the tracks, with tracks 16 and 17 having sufiicient slope to permit a ball to resume rolling after release by the blocking means by a ball on track 18. Thus, when the ball on track 18 trips arm 96 and unblocks a ball on track 16 or 17, the ball on track 16 or 17 starts rolling down the track by gravity.

Sensor switches 110 and 110' are mounted beneath tracks 16 and 17, respectively, on the down track sides of blocking assemblies 87 (FIGURES 8 and 9), disposed with switch plates projecting between the track rails for operation of the switches by passage of balls thereover. The function of these switches will be more apparent hereinbelow.

In the system for returning a given bowling ball selected from a given storage station for use on either of the alleys to the same storage station in the storage rack from which it was removed, there are provided ball removal switch means SW-A through SW-L and SWA' through SWL' which are responsive to selective removal of the bowling ball from the storage rack at a selected ball removal position of which there are two in the illustrative embodiment for each storage station, i.e. one ball removal position on each side of the rack for bowling the ball in either of the adjacent lanes. The ball removal switch means indicates the ball removal position, including the storage station from which the ball is removed and the lane for use upon which the ball is removed. Conveniently, each ball removal position is provided with a ball removal switch operable, as discussed hereinabove, by selection and removal of the ball, e.g. by pivoting the ball pocket halves, each ball removal switch means is capable of energizing a separate ball removal position circuit. Each of these separate circuits includes a memory means for remembering the ball removal position and may include an indicator lamp for identifying the ball removal position. Means may also be provided for producing a readout signal for indicating the selected ball removal position for use, for example, in an automatic bowling scoring machine. After the removed ball has been bowled and while it is being returned to the rack, sensor means determine the lane from which the ball is returning and the memory means directs the return of the ball to the storage station from which it was removed for bowling upon the determined lane. Upon return of the ball to its home position, the memory of its removal is cancelled.

Referring now to the drawings, and especially to FIG- URE 11, for a more specific example of operation, the removal of a bowling ball at a given removal position, e.g., position C, closes bowler identity switch SW-C which actuates the bowler identity relay; e.g. RC, and turns on the bowler identity lamp corresponding to the bowler whose ball is kept in storage station and who is now bowling on the left-hand lane 10. Initially the circuit to the bowler identity lamp and relay is completed through contact Z, e.g., RCZ, and all of contacts Y to ground G. Contacts RC-Z and RC-Y then break and contact RC-X holds in the relay and lamp. The T contacts, e.g. RC-T are closed initially and remain closed while the relay is energized. However, the bowler identity switch actuates bowler identity lamp and relay RC only if all of the other bowler identity relays for lane are de-energized in that any contact Y opened by another relay being held in through its contact X will prohibit initial making of the circuit through the line of contacts Y.

Energization of relay RC, for example, first makes contact RCX and then breaks contacts RC-Y and RC-Z. Contact RC-X holds in relay RC to ground G through all contacts Y to the left while breaking contact RC-Y cuts off the remainder of the relays corresponding to lane 10 positions from ground G, preventing their initial energization. Relay RC controls and closes ball drop solenoid switch SSC which readies solenoid SOL-C for control by preference relay 114. Relay RC also closes the corresponding readout switch for position C for use by an automatic scoring machine.

The next subsequent bowler on a given lane may remove his ball at any time after the previous bowler has removed his and the subsequent bowlers identity switch may be permitted to remain closed so his relay will energize upon de-energization of the previous bowlers relay. Any bowlers on the same lane may remove their balls if desired at any time without effect on the system if the cradle halves or pocket halves are returned to their normal ball-holding stations in order to re-open the respective identity switches; the cradle halves are manually movable for this purpose.

The ball is then bowled and is picked up from the pit and deposited on track 16 whereupon the ball travels back toward ball rack 12. The ball, on track 16 as illustrated in FIGURE 8, trips sensor or ball drop switch 110 by depressing the switch plate between the rails of track 16. Sensor switch 110 which is spring loaded toward open position, is caught and held closed by pivotally mounted latch 111, spring biased toward latching engagement with switch member 110. Closure of switch 110 actuates coil 112 of preference relay 114, thereby closing contacts V and W the former putting sensor switch reset solenoid 113 in circuit for control by ball drop cancel switch SR-C. The preference relay contacts W close the circuit to the ball drop solenoid control contacts SSA through SSL and since the ball drop solenoid control contacts SSC have been closed by relay RC, ball drop solenoid SOLC is actuated, readying station 0 for return of the ball thereto as discussed hereinabove. As the ball is lowered to its cradle, ball drop cancel switch SR-C is momentarily 8 closed thereby energizing solenoid 113 to withdraw latch 111 and permit spring loaded switch to reopen releasing control of the preference relay 114.

If in the meantime, a ball has been removed for bowling on the adjacent lane, e.g., from position I, switch SWI' has been tripped energizing relay RI. Assuming the ball on track 17 has been delayed, if necessary, in its route toward the ball rack by the delay means such as illustrated in FIGURES 8 through 10, release of the preference relay by switch SR-C permits the immediate control of the preference relay by coil 112' upon its energization by the delayed ball in closing switch 110 by passing thereover. The preference relay is spring-urged to a middle position and balanced so that while the relay is shifted about its pivot point by one coil, the other coil, being of about equal strength, cannot put the relay back. Thus, as coil 112 is de-energized, coil 112 is now permitted to control the preference relay, thereby closing the circuit through contacts SS-I (closed by relay RI) to actuate ball drop solenoid SOL-I so that as the second ball enters the storage rack and after return of the first ball to station 0, the second ball, due to the action of ball drop solenoid SOL-I, will be deposited in station i. The cancel switch SR-I is momentarily closed and preference relay 114 goes back to its spring centered position.

The T contacts of the bowler identity relays remain closed during the period that the respective bowler identity relay is closed. The T contacts provide a readout signal for use by automatic scoring devices for crediting the proper score to the bowler whose ball was bowled to produce the score. The readout signal is fed to a computer or other component of a scoring device via appropriate bundles of wire or cables as identified by reference numbers 115 and 115'. It is apparent that the readout signals from the various bowler identity relays for each lane will be fed to the scoring device in the same order as the balls are removed from the rack for bowling giving the scoring device fully adequate information regarding the identity of a bowler whose ball is out of the storage rack.

It is apparent from the foregoing that we have provided a ball return system which includes an in-line ball storage means having a plurality of ball storage stations and a ball return track disposed in association with the storage means by means for transferring balls from the track to the storage station, responsive to control by a remembered signal and a ball sensor means, to direct a bowling ball which has been bowled down a bowling alley back to the same storage station from which it was removed for bowling purposes.

We claim:

1. A bowling ball handling apparatus for association with a bowling lane having a pit and provided with a scoring device, said apparatus comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of the lane including a plurality of separate ball storage stations, ball return means including a ball return track for delivering balls from the pit to the bowlers end of the lane, means normally maintaining said ball storage means separated from said ball return track, movably mounted means for directing balls from the track selectively to the separate storage stations, means responsive to the removal of a ball from one of said ball storage stations for selecting said one station for return of the ball thereto and control means responsive to said selecting means and controlling said ball directing means to direct the ball to the selected ball storage station, said responsive means operating a signal for identifying the selected ball storage station to the scoring device.

2. In a ball handling apparatus for use with a bowling lane having a pit and a ball return track for returning balls from said pit toward the bowlers end of the lane, the improvement which comprises a plurality of ball hold ing stations for receiving balls from said track and from which a bowling ball may be selected for bowling on the lane toward the lane pit, control means responsive to the removal of a ball from any one of said stations for selecting said one station for return of the ball thereto and means responsive to said control means for directing the ball from the ball return track to the selected ball holding station.

3. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising a bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of a pair of adjacent bowling lanes including a plurality of separate bowling ball storage stations, ball return means including a common ball return track for delivering balls from the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, movably mounted means for directing balls on the track selectively to the separate storage stations, control means responsive to removal of a ball from any one of said storage stations for selecting that said one storage station for return of the ball thereto and means responsive to said control means directing the ball from either of said pits to the selected ball storage station including ball detecting means for sensing movement of balls from either of the adjacent pits toward the common return track.

4. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of the pair of adjacent bowling lanes including a plurality of separate ball storage stations, each having separate ball removal positions for removal of a ball therefrom for bowling on the respective lanes,

ball return means including a common ball return track for delivering balls from the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, means responsive to the removal of a bowling ball from each of said positions for selecting the one of said adjacent lanes upon which the ball is to be bowled, movably mounted means for directing balls on the track selectivelyto the separate storage stations, ball detecting means respectively for sensing movement of balls from adjacent pits toward the common return track, and means responsive to the ball detecting means and selecting means for controlling the movably mounted ball directing means for moving the latter to direct a removed and bowled ball from the common ball return track to the ball storage station from which it was removed.

5. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of a pair of adjacent bowling lanes including a plurality of separate ball storage areas, ball return means including a branch return track from each of said pits and a common ball return track from said branch tracks to said storage means for delivering balls from each of the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, movably mounted means for directing balls on the common ball return track selectively to the separate storage areas, ball detecting means on each of said branch tracks for sensing movement of balls from adjacent pits toward the common return track, means responsive to the ball detecting means of each of said branch tracks for blocking movement of balls along the other of said branch tracks toward said. common ball return track, said blocking means being movable between blocking and unblocking positions, means on said common ball return track for moving said blocking means to unblocking position, means responsive to the removal of a ball from any of said storage stations indicating the storage station from which the ball is removed and the lane toward which the ball is removed, and means responsive to the ball detecting means and said indicating means for controlling the movably mounted ball directing means for moving the latter to direct a removed ball from the lane pit via said ball return means to the storage area i from which it was removed.

6. A bowling ball storage device which comprises a plurality of storage stations, a segmented track disposed adjacent said plurality of storage stations and including a normally ball supporting track section adjacent each of said stations movable to a ball releasing position for delivery of a ball therefrom to an adjacent one of said storage stations and means for individually moving said sections to ball releasing position.

7. A bowling ball storage track which comprises a plurality of storage stations in linear array, a segmented length of track disposed above said linear array of stations, said segmented track including track segments above each of said stations individually movable between a ball supporting position and a ball releasing position, separate means for individually moving said track segments between said positions comprising motor means and link works between said motor means and track segment, and means blocking travel of a ball beyond. each track segment with said track segment in ball releasing position whereby the ball is directed to the ball station below the track segment.

8. In a bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes, each having a pit and a ball return means including a branch return path from each of the pits and a common return path from said branch return paths to the bowlers end of the lane for returning balls from said pits to the bowlers end of the lane, the improvement which comprises blocking means movable between blocking and unblocking positions on one of said branch paths, means on the other branch path responsive to passage of a bowling ball for moving said blocking means to blocking position and means on said common path responsive to passage of a bowling ball for moving said blocking means to unblocking position.

9. In a ball handling apparatus for use with a bowling lane having a pit and a ball return path for returning balls from said pit, the improvement which comprises a plurality of ball holding positions from each of which a bowling ball may be selected for bowling on the lane toward the lane pit, control means responsive to the removal of a ball from any one of said positions for selecting said one position for return of the ball thereto including readout means for producing a readout signal responsive to such ball removal, and means responsive to said control means directing the ball from the ball return path to the selected ball holding position.

10. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of a pair of adjacent lanes including a plurality of separate ball storage areas, ball return means including a branch return track from each of said pits and a common return track from said branch tracks to said storage means for delivering balls from each of the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, movably mounted means for delivery of balls on the common ball return track selectively to the separate storage areas, ball detecting means on each of said branch tracks for sensing movement of balls from each adjacent pit toward the common return track, means responsive to the removal of a ball from each of said storage areas, means responsive to the ball detecting means and said last mentioned means for controlling the movably mounted ball directing means for moving the latter to direct a removed and bowled ball from a lane pit via said ball return means to the storage area from which it was removed, and means responsive to (1) return of a ball to the storage area, (2) the ball removal responsive means of the storage area from which a subsequent ball is removed and (3) return of a subsequently removed and bowled ball over said ball detecting means of the branch track from the pit of the lane on which the subsequent ball was bowled for actuating said control means to return the subsequently removed ball to the storage area from which it was removed.

11. A bowling ball handling apparatus: associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of a pair of adjacent bowling lanes including a plurality of separate ball storage areas, ball return means including a branch return track from each of said pits and a common ball return track from said branch track to said storage means for delivering balls from each of the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, movably mounted means for delivery of balls on the common ball return track selectively to the separate storage areas, ball detecting means on each of said branch tracks for sensing movement of balls from adjacent pits toward the common return track, means responsive to movement of balls over each of said branch tracks for delaying movement of balls along the other of said branch tracks toward said common ball return track, means responsive to the removal of a ball from any of said storage stations indicating the storage station from which the ball is removed and the lane toward which the ball is removed, and means a responsive to the ball detecting means and said indicating means for controlling the movably mounted ball directing means for moving the latter to direct a removed ball from the lane pit via said ball return means to the storage station from which it was removed.

12. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of a pair of adjacent bowling lanes including a plurality of separate ball storage areas, ball return means including a branch return track from each of said pits and a common ball return track from said branch tracks to said storage means for delivering balls from each of the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, movably mounted means for delivery of balls on the common ball return track selectively to the separate storage areas, ball sensing means on each of said branch tracks for sensing movement of balls from adjacent pits toward the common return track, means responsive to the removal of a ball from any of said storage stations indicating the storage station from which the ball is removed and the lane toward which the ball is removed, means responsive to the ball sensing means and said indicating means for controlling the movably mounted ball directing means for moving the latter to direct a removed ball from the lane pit via said ball return means to the storage station from which it was removed, and means interlocking the sensing means on each branch track for delaying response of said last mentioned responsive means to one of said ball sensing means until a ball sensed by the other of said sensing means is returned to the storage station from which it was removed.

13. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of a pair of adjacent bowling lanes, said storage means including a plurality of separate ball storage stations each accessible at separate ball removal positions for use on each of said pair of adjacent bowling lanes, ball return means for delivering balls from each of the pits of adjacent lanes to the storage means, separate sensing means adapted to be actuated responsive to return of a ball from each pit, movably mounted means for directing balls on the ball return means selectively to the separate storage stations, ball removal switch means responsive to removal of a bowling ball from said storage means at a selected ball removal position for bowling on a preselected lane, storage station motor means at each of said storage stations for moving the movably mounted ball direction means to direct a ball to the storage station, separate ball removal position circuit means energizable by actuation of both said sensing means and said ball removal switch means for each of said ball removal positions, each of said circuit means upon energization including means blocking subsequent energization of the circuit means for the remaining ball removal positions, means readying the storage station motor means for actuation responsive to return of a ball over said ball return means from one of said lane pits, means for energizing any storage station motor means readied by removal of a ball for use on a lane, ball return memory means controlling said motor energizing means to energize the motor means of the ball position of the station circuit longest energized and corresponding to a ball removal position of the preselected lane, means responsive to return of one ball to its storage station de-energizing said ball station circuit means and enabling said memory means to control said motor energizing means for energizing the motor means of the storage station to which any subsequent ball selected from another storage station is being returned by the ball return means from the lane preselected for bowling of such subsequent ball.

14. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a bowling lane having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means located adjacent the bowlers end of the bowling lane including a plurality of separate ball storage stations, ball return means for delivering balls from the pit of the lane to the storage means, means for sensing the pit from which a given ball is returning, movably mounted means for delivery of balls from the ball return means selectively to the separate storage stations, ball removal switch means at each of said storage stations responsive to removal of a bowling ball from the storage station, separate ball removal position circuit means energizable by said sensing means in combination with each of said ball removal switch means, each of said circuit means including relay means energizable to hold in the circuit means while blocking the circuit means for the remaining ball positions against energization, solenoid means at each of said storage stations for controllingthe movably mounted ball direction means for rmoving the latter to direct a ball to the storage station, means for energizing said solenoid means, said relay means controlling energization of said solenoid means, said ball removal switch means being reopenable responsive to movement of a ball to its respective storage station thereby de-energizing the respective ball removal position circuit means. t

15. A ball handling apparatus for usewith a bowling lane having a pit and a ball return track for returning balls from the pit to the bowlers end of the land, which apparatus comprises means defining a plurality of separate ball holding stations, one for each bowler and each configurated to hold only one ball, each of said ball holding stations being separated from said ball return track, movable means for receiving balls from said return track and for directing a received ball selectively to one of said holding stations, means for selecting the holding station to which the ball is to be returned, and control means responsive to said selecting means for actuating said movable means to direct the ball received thereby to the selected holding station.

16. A bowling ball handling apparatus associated with a plurality of bowling lanes, each having a pit, comprising bowling ball storage means adjacent the bowlers end of the plurality of bowling lanes and including a plurality of separate ball storage areas, one for each ball stored in said storage means, ball return means including a plurality of separate return paths, one from each of said pits, for directing balls from each pit for return to the storage means, operable means for directing balls returned toward the storage means to a selected one of said separate storage areas, ball detecting means on each of said separate paths for sensing movement of a ball from the respective pit toward the storage means, means responsive to passage of a ball over each of said separate paths for blocking movement of balls along the other of said separate paths, said blocking means being movable between blocking and unblocking positions, means between said blocking means and said storage means disposed in the path of passing balls for moving said blocking means to unblocking position responsive to passage'of a ball, control means responsive to the removal of a ball from any of said storage areas and responsive to said ball detecting means for controlling said operable means to move the latter to direct the returning ball to the storage area from which it was removed.

17. A system for directing a bowling ball along a ball return track to a preselected one of a plurality of separate ball storage stations in a bowling ball storage area, which ssytem comprises means normally maintaining said plurality of stations separated from said track, means for each station for directing the ball from the track to the respective station, selection means at each station for designting a selected station to receive the ball, and control means responsive to said selection means and controlling said directing means to direct the ball to the selected station.

18. A bowling ball delivering apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes, each lane having a pit, said apparatus comprising a separate branch ball return track from each of the pits and a common ball return track joining with said branch return tracks and extending to the bowlers end of the lane for returning balls from the pits to the bowlers end of the lane, a blocking structure mounted at each return track for movement between blocking and unblocking positions for blocking and unblocking a ball traveling over the respective branch track, interlock means secured to said blocking structure, said blocking structure and interlock means being interconnected to move one of said blocking structures to blocking position responsive to passage of a ball over the other blocking structure while the other blocking structure is in unblocking position, means for holding either blocking structure in blocking position, and means on said common path track for releasing said holding means responsive to passage of a ball on said common track.

19. A bowling ball delivering apparatus associated with a pair of adjacent bowling lanes, each lane having a pit, said apparatus comprising a separate branch ball return track from each of the pits and a common ball return track joining with said branch return tracks and extending to the bowlers end of the lane for returning balls from the pits to the bowlers end of the lane, a blocking structure mounted at each return track for movement between blocking and unblocking positions for blocking and unblocking a ball traveling over the respective branch track, interlock means secured to said blocking structure, said blocking structure and interlock means being interconnected to move one of said blocking structures to blocking position responsive to passage of a ball over the other blocking structure while the other blocking structure is in unblocking position, latch means for latching said interlock means responsive to movement of one of said blocking structures to blocking position for bolding the blocking structure in blocking position, and mechanical means on said common path linked to said latch means for unlatching said latch means to free said blocking structures for movement to unblocking position responsive to passage of a ball on said common track.

20. In a ball storage device for use with a bowling lane having a pit and a ball return track for returning balls from said pit toward the bowlers end of the lane and having a scoring device for scoring games bowled by the bowlers, the improvement which comprises a plurality of separate ball holding stations, one for each bowler, for receiving balls from said track and from which a bowling ball may be selected for bowling on the lane toward the lane pit, and means responsive to the removal of a ball from any one of said stations for generating a signal identifying said one station to said scoring device to thereby identify the bowler using said station.

21. In a ball handling apparatus associated with a bowling lane including a pit end and a bowler approach end, a ball return track constructed for returning balls from the pit end of the lane toward the approach end of the lane, means defining a ball storage area adjacent the approach end of the lane including a plurality of at least three separate ball storage stations, and means for causing delivery of balls selectively from the track to each of said ball storage stations.

'22. In a ball handling apparatus associated with a bowling lane including a pit end and a bowler approach end, a ball return track constructed for returning balls from the pit end of the lane toward the approach end of the lane, means defining a ball storage area adjacent the approach end of the lane including a plurality of separate ball storage stations all normally out of ball transfer communication with the return track, and. means for causing delivery of balls selectively from the track to each of the storage stations including means for selecting any one of said plurality of stations and means operably responsive to said selecting means for establishing ball transfer communication between the track. and the selected station.

23. The ball handling apparatus of claim 22 including blocking means at said communication establishing means for diverting a bowling ball from said track into the selected station.

24. In combination with a bowling alley, a main ball return track, a plurality of storage pockets at the forward end of said track, one for each of a plurality of balls used in a bowling game, a switch device for each of said pockets which is actuated when a ball is removed from that pocket, and electrical circuit means including said switch devices for returning a ball to the same storage pocket from which it was removed.

25. In combination with a bowling alley, ball return track means including a plurality of releasable means at the forward end thereof; a row of ball supporting means, one each for each of said releasable means, disposed beneath said track means; a switch means on each of said ball supporting means which is activated when a ball is removed from a selected one of said ball supporting means; means for releasing said releasable means whereby balls are lowered along a substantially vertical path from a position on said track means onto said ball supporting means; and electrical circuit means including said switch means and the last-mentioned means for returning said ball to said selected one of said ball supporting means.

26. In combination, a bowling ball return track, a plurality of storage pockets at the forward end of said track, one for each of a plurality of balls used in a bowling game, a switch device for each of said pockets which is actuated when a ball is removed from that pocket, and electrical circuit means including said switch devices for returning a ball to the same storage pocket from which it was removed.

27. A combination as defined in claim 21 including at least ten aligned ball storage stations,

28. In combination with a bowling alley, ball return track means including a plurality of releasable means at the forward end thereof, a row of ball supporting means one each for each of said releasable means, disposed beneath said track means, and means controlling said releasable means whereby a ball may move along a substantially vertical path from the track means selectively to any of the ball supporting means.

29. A combination as defined in claim 28 including means mounting each ball supporting means for movement from a position directly vertically beneath the track means to a second position to one side of the row toward the bowling alley.

30. For use with an apparatus for totalizing the score for a bowling game, a plurality of player switch devices for providing bowler identity to said totalizing apparatus before each player bowls a frame in a game, at least one storage pocket for each players ball used in the game, and means operatively associated with each storage pocket for actuating a corresponding player switch device when that players ball is out of its associated storage pocket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Banks 273-47 Whittle 273-47 Agnello et a1 198-205 Gruss 273-43 Patterson et a1. 273-49 Zuercher 273-49 1 6 Neville et a1 273-49 Stegrnan et a1 273-49 Setecka 273-49 Mentzer et a1. 273-54 US. Cl. X.R.

7 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,466,041 Dated September 9, 1969 Inv nt0 Joseph L. Bvrd and William M. Allen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

F On the drawings, strike the name "William D. Cornell" SIGNED AND SEALED AUG 4 1970 Atteat Edward m. mach, Ir. mm! 1-" saaumm, m.

Gomnissicner or Pat-ants Attesung Officer 

28. IN COMBINATION WITH A BOWLING ALLEY, BALL RETURN TRACK MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF RELEASABLE MEANS AT THE FORWARD END THEREOF, A ROW OF BALL SUPPORTING MEANS ONE EACH FOR EACH OF SAID RELEASABLE MEANS, DISPOSED BENEATH SAID TRACK MEANS, AND MEANS CONTROLLING SAID RELEASABLE MEANS WHEREBY A BALL MAY MOVE ALONG A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PATH FROM THE TRACK MEANS SELECTIVELY TO ANY OF THE BALL SUPPORTING MEANS. 